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The Eagle and the Chickens – Living Up To Your Potential

There’s a popular story or so it goes about an eagle that was raised among a group of chickens. His whole life he clucked, ate, slept and lived like a chicken – never even realizing that he was an eagle. One night when he was old and close to his time of passing, the eagle looked up and saw a heavenly looking bird soaring high in the sky. He asked the chickens, “what kind of bird is that”? “Oh that?” the chickens replied…”That’s an eagle. You don’t ever have to worry about the likes of him. He’s the king of the sky and can do as he pleases – basically, whatever he wants. But we are chickens. We are made for the ground and we will never fly like that.”. So the eagle died believing he was just a chicken and never lived up to his full potential. Drug addicts in long term recovery often live like chickens, not realizing that their potential is far greater than what they believe to be true. In this article, we want to show recovering drug addicts why they have the ability to be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do.

Fear and Doubt Are The Enemies

Two of the greatest enemies people face in life are fear and doubt. People who are afraid often freeze up and don’t take action. Doubt causes individuals to stay and live in their comfort zone so that they rarely or never take risks to see if they can get that better job, or start a relationship with that woman or man they have a crush on. Fear and doubt are downright crippling and if an individual doesn’t find the courage and belief in their heart that they have the potential to do or be more, than they’ll simply live a life of status quo. For some, maybe that’s okay, but when most individuals look back on their life, they often wish they took those risks they were too afraid to take.

Courage and Belief In Yourself Overcome Fear and Doubt

A drug addict in long term recovery may not realize their potential because they have a disease. As often as drug addicts are stigmatized, an individual with the disease of addiction may feel that keeping drugs out of their system is the only victory they’re destined for. Now don’t get me wrong. It’s a major feat to stop using drugs and anyone who says otherwise is a fool. However, long term recovery only truly begins once drug use has stopped. But the potential of one’s life is not limited by their disease. In fact, many drug addicts in long term recovery have had the courage and belief in themselves and God to go out, share their story and save other people’s lives. Others may want to leave all thoughts of their past drug addiction in the past and move on to college and get a career as an electrician, a carpenter, a doctor or a lawyer.

Nobody as a child says, “when I grow up, I want to be a drug addict”. But I guarantee that each of you reading this had or have dreams that you may not be living. If not, why not? What or who is limiting your potential? Are you hanging around people that are making you believe you’re just a chicken? Is fear and doubt stopping you from taking risks that could result in a happier, more fulfilling life? Are you involved in a codependent relationship with a woman or man that’s making you believe that you don’t deserve something better?

You Are Your Own Savior

The only one who can change your life and circumstances is you. Now I’m not suggesting that there is no God. But you can’t just sit there waiting or thinking that things will change on their own. Or maybe you’re still punishing yourself for the previous choices you made to use drugs that may have hurt the people you love. You have to forgive yourself for that. What is a life of tormenting yourself going to go? Will that change what you have done? Absolutely not. But getting out there and proving that you are a person worthy of love and living your dreams will show the ones you love and maybe hurt that you’ve changed. They will see that you’ve become a better man or woman, free from drug addiction and living a life that you are not just satisfied with, but excited about.

Free From Drug Addiction Equals Unlimited Potential

Everyone has their own idea of “rock bottom”. But stopping drug use is the beginning for you to build a new fortress on a solid foundation. No there will be no handouts. Yes you will have to work hard and persevere. Those that do don’t often regret trying, failing and getting back up again to keep on going. Not trying and learning to be content on the rock with no castle won’t get you anywhere and it certainly won’t make you happy In fact, it may even lead to the temptation to begin using drugs again.

Each human being, whether they’ve ever used drugs or not has unlimited potential. Don’t let a previous life of drug use or people trying to put you down be an excuse not to get out there and live your life, start that new career you’ve been talking about, pursue your dream woman or man you’ve been flirting with and/or continuing to educate yourself and learning what you can do to make your life better and more fulfilling

Remember…drug addiction treatment is only the beginning of recovery. What you do in aftercare and beyond is what makes you who you truly are. It’s ok to get out there, try and fail. But don’t just sit there and never try or you won’t get anywhere.

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